Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition causing the immune system to attack the central nervous system. Disease onset occurs in young adults and affects 350,000 people in the United States, but new findings in the journal PLoS Genetics reveal giving infants vitamin D may “switch on” certain genes and lower overall risk of multiple sclerosis; NutraIngredients reports.

Our bodies convert ultraviolet rays from the sun into vitamin D and vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium, leading to stronger bones and less risk of osteoporosis. And getting sufficient vitamin D has been linked to lower risk of prostate cancer and hypertension.

Actually in 2006, Harvard researchers also determined higher levels of vitamin D may protect against multiple sclerosis.

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A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism claims vitamin D levels in adolescent girls are significantly associated with muscle power and force. Researchers recruited 99 inner-city girls from a multi-ethnic school between the ages of 12 and 14. And blood testing revealed 75% of the girls had low levels of vitamin D and the girls with higher levels performed much better on a jumping test used to measure strength; Nutraingredients reports.

Ironically, in October the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended doubling children’s daily intake of vitamin D to 400 units, replacing its 2003 recommendation of 200 units, based on claims that sufficient vitamin D may help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

And previous reports show vitamin D deficiencies can cause back pain in older women and even increase the likelihood of c-sections.

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